The Ihde Method

Who can perform the Ihde method?

It is not the equipment that limits it: this protocol involves decisions that cannot be undone

This question usually comes from one worry: a clinic near me says it does this too, so can I trust it? The answer takes more than a list. On this page we explain why the protocol is not carried out at every clinic, what the training adds and how you can tell whether a clinic is genuinely competent, so that it is useful to you even if you never come to us.

Short answer

Performing this protocol takes three things together: the planning skill to decide on the CBCT scan which layer of bone the implant should reach, a surgical technique that prepares the implant site by compressing the bone rather than drilling it away, and a laboratory that works fast enough to make the fixed bridge in the same week. Each of the three needs its own training. The deciding factor is this: with a one-piece implant the angle cannot be corrected afterwards, so a planning mistake cannot be undone.

The three things needed: Planning skill, surgical technique, an in-house laboratory
Why it is limited: On a one-piece implant, a mistake cannot be undone
What the certificate means: Having completed the programme where the method originated
The question that matters: How many full-mouth cases do you do a year?

Medically reviewed by Bilge Ilgın, Dentist · ImplantologyLast reviewed 2026-09-08

Why not every clinic does it

The first reason is how much rests on the planning. In conventional implantology, the angle of an implant can be compensated for to some extent with a separate top part that can be changed later. A one-piece implant allows no such correction: because the implant body and the part the tooth attaches to are a single piece, the bridge has to be built around whatever angle the implant was placed at. That means reading the CBCT scan and planning in 3D are no longer optional skills.

The second reason is the surgical technique itself. The implant site is not prepared by drilling bone away but by compressing it sideways. The aim is to make the bone denser so that it grips the implant more firmly, but both the compression and keeping the heat under control call for a practised hand. Bone that overheats does not heal, and this is a mistake you cannot see during surgery; it only shows up months later.

The third reason is that the clinic and the laboratory have to work at the same pace. For the fixed bridge to be fitted within three clinical days, production has to start on the day the impressions are taken. A clinic that sends the work out cannot keep to that timescale: fitting is delayed, the patient waits and the protocol itself loses its point.

The fourth is that the decision is made during surgery. How firmly each implant holds is measured with a torque reading, and any area that does not reach the expected value is not loaded that day. The decision rests on the measurement, not on the patient's plane ticket or the clinic's schedule. Knowing how to stick to the measurement is also part of the training, because postponing is always an uncomfortable decision.

This is where the certificate comes in. Dentists who use this protocol go through the training programme in which the method was developed, and their authorisation to perform it is documented. It is not a general implantology course; it is this protocol's own programme. A clinic without that certificate does not appear on our list. But let us be clear: the certificate is a starting threshold, and on its own it does not prove competence.

That is because what really decides it is repetition. In this kind of surgery, competence grows with the number of cases performed. The difference between a clinic that does a few full-mouth cases a year and one that does several a week is not written on any certificate. So when you are assessing a clinic, the question to ask is not about paperwork but about numbers.

Signs of a competent clinic

You can ask about each of the points below even if you never come to us, and the answers can be checked.

The tooth can be saved

Clinics with their own laboratoryFitting within three days is only possible if production happens under the same roof. And if something needs adjusting on fitting day, it is sorted out within hours; when the work is sent out, the same adjustment stretches over days.
Clinics that take and read their own CBCT scansWhich layer of bone to reach is decided on the scan itself. A set-up where the imaging is sent elsewhere and the clinic only reads the report lowers the quality of planning for this protocol.
Clinics that talk about torque readingsIf you ask how the loading decision is made and the clinic talks about the measurement, it is on the right track. An approach that promises 'same-day teeth for everyone' has left the decision to the calendar rather than the measurement.
Clinics that can tell you that you are not suitableBeing able to tell you that this protocol is not needed for a single missing tooth, that an active infection has to be treated first and that the plan will be postponed if you have an uncontrolled general health condition is part of being competent. A clinic that accepts every patient is not being selective.

Saving it is unlikely to hold

Clinics that do a handful of cases a yearCompetence in this surgery grows with repetition. At a clinic that has cleared the certificate threshold but does few cases, the risk is higher, because a planning mistake cannot be undone.
A set-up that sends laboratory work outIt cannot keep to the three-day schedule. Either the timescale stretches or production gets rushed, and rushing shows up in the bite adjustment and the fit.
Clinics that give a price and a plan without imagingNobody can decide which layer of bone to reach without seeing a CBCT scan. A firm plan given without seeing one is a promise about a jaw that nobody has looked at yet.
Clinics that do not share the measurementThe torque reading for each implant should be recorded, and you should be able to be told it when needed. That number is the only basis for the loading decision on the day.

Questions to ask when assessing a clinic

Six questions. Each has a short, clear answer; not getting one is an answer too.

1
Where did you train in this protocol?
A general implantology course, or this protocol's own programme? The two are different, and the difference shows in the result.
2
How many full-mouth cases do you do a year?
The number that is not written on any certificate but makes the most difference. In this surgery, repetition feeds directly into the result.
3
Is your laboratory in-house?
This decides whether fitting within three days is possible at all. It also decides how quickly any adjustment needed on fitting day gets done.
4
What do you base the loading decision on?
The answer you want to hear is the torque reading. If a clinic answers this question with the schedule, its decision is not based on measurement.
5
Is there anything that makes me unsuitable?
If the answer to this is 'it suits everyone', walk away from that clinic. A dentist who can list the method's limits is working within them.
6
What happens if something goes wrong?
What happens if a screw comes loose, the bridge breaks or an implant is lost? What is covered, and the timescale, should be in writing before treatment.

If there is no clinic near you that does it

Only a limited number of clinics use this protocol, and that is a real constraint. These are your options.

Travelling to a certified clinic

Because the treatment fits into three clinical days, you only need to make the trip once. For patients coming from another city, 3 days (72 hours) is enough: treatment is completed with the final teeth on day three, and you can travel home at the end of that day. That costs less than the travel for a plan spread over months.

Conventional implants in your own city

If you have enough bone, conventional implants are a well-known and widely used option. Having follow-up and any repairs done close to home is a real advantage; do not underestimate it.

A two-stage plan

For some patients, the surgery can be done at one centre and the later check-ups with a dentist in their own city. Whether this is possible depends on the implant system used and on the records being shared, so it should be discussed at the outset.

Waiting

We include this because some people do choose it. But waiting is not without cost: where teeth have been lost, the bone keeps shrinking and the options narrow.

What a lack of competence costs

The points below describe what a lack of experience looks like with this protocol. All of them come to light months later.

Wrong angle, a bridge that cannot be corrected

With a one-piece implant, the angle cannot be made up for later by changing a top part. A bridge built on an implant placed at the wrong angle sacrifices either how it looks or how the load is spread, and both prove expensive later.

Loading despite a weak hold

A decision that ignores the measurement to stay on schedule saves the patient three days and costs them the implant. That is a failure in how the protocol was carried out, not in the protocol itself.

A rushed bite adjustment

The time spent on the bite on fitting day determines how many loose screws and broken bridges you face a few years later. This is the quietest part, and the most expensive.

Overheating the bone

If heat is not controlled while the implant site is prepared, the surrounding bone does not heal. This mistake cannot be seen during surgery; it comes to light months later, when the implant is lost.

After you have chosen a clinic

Once you have decided, a few steps will put the process on a firmer footing.

Get the plan in writing
How many implants, in which areas, what will be fitted on top, how many days, a night guard if one is planned, and when the check-ups will take place. A written plan protects both you and the clinic.
Ask for a copy of your CBCT scan
The scan is your health record. You will need it to hand if you want a second opinion or if you see another dentist in future.
Get the post-treatment record
The brand, diameter, length and position of the implants used. Without this document, it is harder for another dentist to take over the work.
Pin down the check-up schedule
How often, where and what will be checked. For patients who travel from far away, setting this schedule up from the start is the surest way to keep check-ups from slipping.

Message us right away if

You want to find out whether you are suitable. Send us the panoramic X-ray or CBCT scan you already have. If we think you are not suitable, we tell you in writing before you travel.
You are unsure whether a clinic near you is competent. Ask the six questions on this page. If you still have doubts after hearing the answers, getting a second opinion is a normal next step.
You have treatment that was started at another clinic. If treatment was left unfinished or has run into problems, your records are needed first: which system, which areas and on what date. With those, an assessment can be made.
You have swelling, a fever or a spreading infection. This is not the time to shop around for a clinic. See a dentist the same day; if you are finding it hard to swallow, go straight to A&E.

How competence is reflected in the price

With this protocol, the skilled work and planning appear as a single line on the bill, yet they determine most of the result. Here is the breakdown:

Planning and imaging: The CBCT scan and the planning time spent on it. Cutting back here means cutting back on a decision that cannot be undone.
A clinic with its own laboratory: Keeping production in-house makes the three-day schedule possible and removes the middleman's cost. It is one of the genuine factors that lowers the price without cutting what is included.
Time set aside for fitting day: The half hour spent adjusting the bite does not show on the bill; it shows in the cost of repairs a few years later.
Follow-up and possible repairs: Whether check-ups are included and how things work if a problem comes up. For patients travelling from far away, this can matter more than the price.

Frequently asked questions

Can any dentist perform this method?

No. Choosing the layer of bone on the CBCT scan, preparing the implant site by compression and making the loading decision from the torque reading all need separate training. The deciding factor is this: with a one-piece implant the angle cannot be corrected afterwards, so a planning mistake cannot be undone.

What does the certificate mean?

It means the dentist has completed the training programme in which the method was developed and that their authorisation to perform it is documented. It is not a general implantology course but this protocol's own programme. Still, the certificate is a starting threshold; on its own it does not prove competence.

What matters more than the certificate?

The number of cases. Competence in this surgery grows with repetition, and that is not written on any certificate. The most useful question to ask a clinic is this: how many full-mouth cases do you do a year?

A clinic near me says it does this. How can I be sure?

Ask the six questions on this page: where the training came from, how many cases a year, whether the laboratory is in-house, what the loading decision is based on, whether anything makes you unsuitable, and what happens if something goes wrong. How clear the answers are usually tells you enough.

How can I see your list of clinics?

Just fill in the form on the Our Clinics page of this site and we will point you to the certified clinic nearest to you. The list is limited, because clinics without the certificate are not included.

What should I do if there isn't one in my city?

Because the treatment fits into three clinical days, you only need to make the trip once; for patients coming from another city, setting aside 3 days (72 hours) is enough, as treatment is completed with the final teeth on day three. Alternatively, if you have enough bone, conventional implants in your own city are also a sound option, and having follow-up close to home is a real advantage.

Are there clinics outside Turkey that use this method?

Yes. The method is based on an international training programme, and there are dentists using it in a number of countries. When comparing, make sure you are comparing like with like on what is included, and factor in the cost of travelling back if a problem arises.

Sources

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Next step

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